Home - Electric Buses - Trolleybuses - References - Biel, Switzerland
 

Biel, Switzerland

Delivery: 1997

In 1996, the Metropolitan Transport Services Bern (SVB) and the Transport Services Biel (VB/TPB) decided on the joint acquisition of 18 low floor articulated trolleybuses, using the cost effectiveness of the series production. The modern trolleybus is user-friendly and ecologically advantageous, with, for example, low emission of pollutants, odours, and noise, subjects those are growing in importance.

The electrical traction achieves the goal of being as cost effective as possible. Furthermore, the electrical supply more than provides an allround design, offering the user new systems which are easy to maintain and repair. The following innovations and auxiliaries support the user to obtain an optimum cost effectiveness for the entire service life of the carriages:

  • The hierarchically superordinated Kiepe databus for networking all carriage components and reducing the cabling.  
    It is a common system for car manufacturing, based on the CAN system proven by Kiepe for many years.
  • Compact aggregates with reduced dimensions by modern electronic semiconductors (IGBT: insulated gate bipolar transistor), offering the possibility to include all devices that previously were spread around the carriage, in one compact roof-type instrument cabinet.
  • Several microprocessors control-modules in the carriage that are   connected via the Kiepe databus, for controlling and monitoring the electrical components, such as current collector and switchgears. Diagnosis of all important devices, such as three-phase traction converter, carriage control, on-board inverter, and the decentralised microprocessor controls, by means of the Kiepe diagnostics.
  • A single PC-connection (diagnostics laptop) offers a central access to all devices connected to the databus system.
  • The proven three-phase traction equipment with a robust asynchronous traction motor is easy to maintain.

Special attention must be given to the innovative roof equipment container. The proven IGBT direct pulse converter is integrated as are the IGBT on-board inverter, the line filter, and the device panels for the compressor and heater controls. The stipulated double insulation is inside the roof equipment container, thus providing protection against environmental influences. All active components in the cabinet are force-ventilated by single three-phase fan that is maintenance-free and temperature independent.
Maintenance access and replacement of assemblies by means of the patented Kiepe swing cover, which can be opened on both sides, giving access to the entire width of the cabinet. The entire unit is thoroughly tested in Kiepe's works, simulating the real conditions according to the required application. Unit is allowed to be installed after successful completion of the test.

Furthermore, the carriage control offers an increased availability by - besides controlling the process-registering operating data, diagnosing errors and malfunctions, as well as storing all events, enabling the possibility to analyse the carriage drive and the control data via a common PC on site, or remotely via modem by the manufacturer. In addition, the Internet transfer of the recorded carriage data between the user and the manufacturer is well proven and found to be reliable. The main features of the overall design are:

  • Reduced weight
  • Reduced cabling inside the carriage and via the articulated joint
  • Easy accessible devices, thus simplifying maintenance and servicing
  • passive accident protection due to the roof-type equipment

This innovative carriage system with its extensive and easy to understand diagnostics provides a crystal clear concept to the user, whose main interest is an economic operation and maintenance. User-friendly tried and tested by our customers is the long-term guaranteed spare parts supply developed and produced by Kiepe, based on quality management according to ISO 9001. More impressive than ever, the trolleybus is an important and forward-looking means of local transport for the future. 

Download: BernBiel_354.pdf (Size: 300.0 KB)